Pro-John Thune ad, but no election? Think chemistry

Sep. 12, 2013

A commercial running in South Dakota markets touts the achievements of Sen. John Thune.

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Yes, that was an ad praising Sen. John Thune airing over the weekend, during news broadcasts and NFL games. But it wasn’t Thune — who’s not up for re-election until 2016 — running the ad.

The American Chemistry Council paid for the 30-second spot, saying Thune “is a strong supporter of small business, expanding domestic energy and manufacturing, and he fights for our family farms and ranches.”

The trade association just finished running the spot for a three-week period, and it wasn’t just an ad here or there. According to data from local TV stations, the council spent more than $125,000 in just the Sioux Falls market, repeating the ad hundreds of times.

“Our office has had no role in the commercial and only found out about it as it started to air across South Dakota,” Andi Fouberg, Thune’s spokeswoman, said in a statement.

Not linked to a vote

Anne Kolton, the chemistry council’s vice president for communications, said the ad wasn’t a response to any particular votes by Thune, but part of a general pattern of being “an aggressive promoter of economic growth.”

The council is a trade association of chemical companies. It has spent tens of millions of dollars on lobbying and public relations in recent years.

Bipartisan praise

The council has made commercials praising a range of politicians from both parties in recent years. An ad supporting Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was almost identical to Thune’s, except for changing the names of the politician and state and dropping the words “and ranches” from “family farms and ranches.”

The ads praising Democratic politicians took different tones. While the pro-Thune ad emphasized “less government” and “more jobs,” the commercial honoring Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., spoke about his support for “expanding innovative research” and his ability to bring “both sides together to get results.”

Neither phrase was included in the ads praising Thune, McConnell or Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho.

Not tied to election

Kolton said it wasn’t that unusual to be airing the ad so far ahead of Thune’s next election.

“We have run these issue ads highlighting the work of bipartisan members of Congress, some who are nearing re-election, some who are not,” Kolton said.

“It’s really more about making sure that we’re highlighting when and how members of Congress are doing good work, regardless of the election cycle.”

Viveca Novak, communications director at the Center For Responsive Politics, an advocacy group that tracks campaign spending, said the reason for the pro-Thune ad is difficult to pinpoint.

“It’s possible that he’s a key ally, given his committee assignments, or that he’s sponsored legislation recently that’s favorable to them,” Novak wrote in an email.

Thune serves on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, as well as committees overseeing agriculture, finance and the budget.